The defending Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, will really have a different look next season after parting ways with a number of key players this offseason including defenseman Johnny Oduya who signed with the Dallas Stars.
Oduya was inked by the Stars to a two-year $7.5 million pact Wednesday.
"I think it's a very, very fast team, a team that wants to play hockey, a similar style I think as Chicago; wants to have the puck, create things. I think the speed is the thing that stands out the most. It's a new challenge, a new chapter," Oduya said according to NHL.com.
"It's going to be a lot of fun for me. I think I'm pretty comfortable with the role that I play and the things I can bring. It's not really going to change a whole lot for me, and that's something that I like," he added.
The 33-year-old athlete's agent, Don Meehan, reportedly said Tuesday that his client will not re-sign with the Blackhawks.
In a report by ESPN, Oduya and Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman were open to him staying but that may have changed after they traded for defenseman Trevor Daley from the Stars.
The Blackhawks also have a limited cap space which did not allow them to easily make the decision of re-signing Oduya since they are also looking to renew their contract with center Marcus Kruger.
Along with Oduya, Chicago already let go of left wings Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad through trade deals with the Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Centers Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette also left joining the Detroit Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes, respectively, as unrestricted free agents.
Chicago acquired Oduya from a trade deal with the Winnipeg Jets for two draft picks in February of 2012 and everything worked out between both sides.
Since joining the Blackhawks, he has played in 219 regular season games scoring 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists).
Oduya joined them in 71 playoff games where he tallied five goals with 18 assists and was crucial to their Stanley Cup victories in 2013 and 2015.
